2014 is nearly upon us, but it looks like 2013 will get a fun-filled send off at area night spots. Cover bands seem to be the most popular offering, but with dozens of venues in the area, there is something for just about everybody on offer. Among the highlights: Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge will feature ’80s-focused combo PopRX; Beaumont’s will showcase hard rockers Mower’s covers-based alter ego, Slower; and Tio Leo’s hosts classic rockers Serious Guise, who perform songs by everyone from the Beatles to Santana. Other notable events include Café-Bar Europa’s “Sexy Vaudeville Show,” complete with a live dance band performing ragtime to swing tunes, but possibly the most interesting concert in the area closing out this year will be held at Tango Del Rey, which will host Cirque Del Rey, a mix of music and burlesque, including sets from reggae band Ottly Mercer and a stage appearance from the ladies of the Hell on Heels Revue. While not everyone likes to go out on New Year’s Eve, for those who do, there will be no shortage of musical ways to end 2013.

Indie rock fans will want to investigate an excellent bill at The Griffin on Dec. 21. Beginning at 9 p.m., a slew of top up-and-coming talent, including Deadly Birds, Leanna May and the Matadors, Gone Baby Gone, Neighbors to the North and Sexrat, will hit the stage. All are worthy contenders with highlights set to include Neighbors to the North, which recently won a Tim Pyles FM94.9 local music contest, and Gone Baby Gone, a garage riff-driven combo fronted by Veronica Collins. All five artists on this have devoted followings and enough variety among them for a show that should be a packed fun night out.

Neighbors to the North and more: Saturday, Dec. 21 at The Griffin, 1310 Morena Blvd. 9 p.m. 21 and up. $6. www.thegriffinsd.com

On Dec. 27, Dizzy’s will be the site of a performance by jazz pianist/composer Chase Morrin and his quartet, featuring bassist Justin Grinnell, drummer Charlie Weller and special guest saxophonist Ethan Heyenga. The latest in a long line of emerging jazz talent from San Diego, Morrin is barely 18 years of age with one album, En Comun, to his credit, but already has years of touring experience and dozens of jazz and classical compositions in his repertoire. At the moment Morrin remains a rising star, but with dozens of awards from the likes of Downbeat Magazine and the Monterrey Jazz Festival already on his mantelpiece, it’s clear this is a performer on his way to being a major name in music.

There are lots of options when it comes to music this New Year’s Eve, but when it comes to reggae, the 710 Beach Club just may be your best bet. Festivities kick off at 9 p.m. with music from one of the area’s top bands, The Devastators. The band formed in 2000, soon establishing itself as one of the area’s top club draws. By the end of the decade, The Devastators had won the 2010 San Diego Music Award for “Best World Music,” with three albums to their credit. As good as those albums are, live is where The Devastators have made their name and this end of the year blow out should be an even more celebratory event than usual.

Anyone looking for variety in their soundtrack for a night out will want to check out HoneyRock, performing at the Kona Kai Resort on Dec. 19, 7 p.m. The band covers a lot of ground, with hits from the late 1950s to the present. Sounding like a pretty cool jukebox with a repertoire of more than 100 songs, the band covers a wide range of music from Johnny Cash to Oasis, C Lo Green to Amy Winehouse. Anyone looking for a combination of dancing to live music and dining will find this performance on beautiful Shelter Island one of the week’s best bets.

Though the Bayou Brothers have won a San Diego Music Awards “Best Blues” trophy, it will be clear from the first note of one of the quintet’s performances that they lean far more heavily into zydeco. Appearing at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Dec. 30, the core of the band is as a five piece (including a Bayou “sister”) though additional musicians pop in as the need arises. San Diego may be some distance from Louisiana, but anyone wanting a taste of the region’s wonderful sounds need look no further.

Live music2014 is nearly upon us, but it looks like 2013 will get a fun-filled send off at area night spots. Cover bands seem to be the most popular offering, but with dozens of venues in the area, there is ...